Reality television star, dentist and former congressional candidate Dr. Heavenly Kimes is opening up about her first run for political office, saying her motivation was never about politics itself but about addressing the healthcare struggles she witnessed firsthand in underserved communities.
In a recent social media post and interview, the Married to Medicine star reflected on her unsuccessful bid for Georgia’s 13th Congressional District seat, stressing that the experience reinforced her commitment to public service and healthcare advocacy.
“I’m a healthcare provider. I’ve always been on the side of humanity,” Kimes said. “I didn’t run this race for politics, I ran for the people.”
But it was another remark that captured the emotional core of her campaign experience.
“Don’t nobody give a damn,” Kimes said while describing what she observed in communities struggling to navigate healthcare systems and government programs. “And I gave a damn enough to run.”
A Campaign Rooted in Healthcare
Kimes said healthcare remained the driving issue behind her campaign, citing soaring insurance premiums, high co-pays and the rising cost of prescription medications as major burdens facing American families.
“Healthcare should not be a luxury,” she wrote. “Something has to change.”
Drawing from her experience as a healthcare provider, Kimes described seeing seniors forced to choose between buying medication and purchasing groceries, while working families delay needed medical care because they cannot afford treatment.
During her interview, she also highlighted challenges she observed among residents in her district, including difficulties navigating Medicaid and Medicare systems.
“Some of the people in the district could not read,” she said. “Some of them could not get through the system. Some of them did not have a computer.”
According to Kimes, those experiences left her questioning whether policymakers truly understood the obstacles facing vulnerable residents.
Speaking Out as a Black Woman Candidate
Kimes also reflected on the unique pressures she felt as a Black woman running for office.
“I felt like I was limited in what I could say because I would be crucified if I came too hard,” she said.
She described the balancing act many Black women face in public life, where assertiveness can trigger stereotypes while restraint can be interpreted as weakness.
“You’re a Black woman always trying to say, if she comes too hard, she’s going to be the angry Black woman, but if she comes too soft, she’s soft,” Kimes explained.
Her comments echo broader conversations about race, gender and leadership that continue to shape American politics.
The Reality of Running for Office
Kimes acknowledged that entering politics exposed her to realities she had not fully anticipated, particularly the influence of incumbency and fundraising.
“I went in there blinded,” she admitted.
She described discovering how political networks operate behind the scenes, saying some people privately offered support but were unwilling to publicly endorse her campaign.
“It was amazing how the lack of support from some,” she said. “It’s almost like a club or a gang.”
Kimes also pointed to the role of outside spending in modern campaigns, referencing a late influx of funding during the race.
“That means that can happen anytime, anywhere,” she said. “A special interest can come in and then you’re bought and then you have to vote in the way that they allow you to.”
Would She Run Again?
The question many supporters continue asking is whether Kimes would seek office again.
Her answer was not a definitive yes, but it was far from a no.
“I would have to have some financial backing,” she said. “It would be stupid” to enter another race without a clearer understanding of the financial realities involved.
Still, Kimes expressed pride in what her campaign accomplished despite the loss.
In May, after conceding the Democratic primary to Georgia state Rep. Jasmine Clark, Kimes said her team had “built a real movement” and demonstrated that “everyday people still have a voice.”
Bigger Than One Election
Although her congressional campaign ended in defeat, Kimes insists the issues that motivated her candidacy remain unresolved.
For her, the race was about more than winning office. It was about drawing attention to healthcare inequities, encouraging civic engagement and giving voice to communities she believes are too often overlooked.
“This race was an amazing experience,” she wrote. “But above all, I hope people understand the importance of getting up, getting out, and voting. Our voices matter. Our communities matter. And the work continues.”
Her message suggests that while her first campaign may be over, her involvement in public advocacy is far from finished.
